News — Florida Rules of Evidence

A proposed amendment to the Florida Evidence Code has been filed in the Florida Senate and House (SB 548: Electronic Legal Documents by Sen. Brandes; HB 409: Electronic Legal Documents by Rep. Perez).  We will continue to track it, as it works through the legislature:Electronic Legal Documents; Revising provisions relating to use of the office of notary public; authorizing online notarizations; specifying registration and qualification requirements for online notaries public; prescribing online notarization procedures; specifying the manner by which an online notary public must verify the identity of a principal or a witness, etc. 90.803 Hearsay exceptions; availability of declarant immaterial.—The provision of...

Statements in a 911 call can be admissible under the excited utterance hearsay and nonviolative of the Confrontation Clause; no so for the same statements made once officers arrive on scene.

No changes to the Florida Evidence Code going into 2018.

No amendments this year, but a new look to our guide is coming!